Hurricanes, Weather and other things – Jay Hobgood's Web site and blog

Tropical Cyclone Fakir brought wind and rain to Mauritius and La Reunion on Tuesday. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Fakir was located at latitude 21.9°S and longitude 56.6°E which put it about 80 miles (130 km) southeast of St. Denis, La Reunion. Fakir was moving toward the southeast at 25 m.p.h. (40 km/h). The maximum sustained wind was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 983 mb. Fakir was the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

The center of Tropical Cyclone Fakir passed between Mauritius and La Reunion on Tuesday and it brought gusty winds and heavy rain. An eye formed at the center of circulation and a narrow ring of thunderstorms wrapped tightly around the eye. The strongest winds were occurring in the ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were occurring south and east of the center of circulation. The bands north and west of the center consisted primarily of light showers and low clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 170 miles (270 km) from the center.

Tropical Cyclone Fakir was capable of causing minor wind damage on Mauritius and La Reunion. Fakir was also dropping heavy rain and the rain was likely to produce flash floods in some locations. Tropical Cyclone Fakir was moving rapidly to the southeast. So, conditions on Mauritius and La Reunion are likely to improve later on Tuesday when the core of Fakir moves away. Fakir has peaked in intensity. Although it is moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 27°C, Tropical Cyclone Fakir has moved under an area of strong upper level winds blowing from the northwest. Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear, which will weaken Fakir.